Deacon Speakin

Coronavirus and The Christian

2020-05-06T22:42:00.000-04:00

With the current pandemic creating shelter at home orders, one of the biggest complaints one hears repeatedly is that people are becoming bored; there's nothing to do and nowhere to go. That should never be the case for the Christian, even in times like this.

How much of your recently discovered free time have you spent reading and studying from God's word to enable you to, "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)? So many people have spent many hours lately on Netflix and other entertainment options. Have you taken advantage of the countless valuable resources available online to dig deeper into the word of God and its lessons? 365.polishingthepulpit.com, gbntv.org and thegospelofchrist.com are just a few of many resources providing sound preaching on a variety of topics. Those are in addition to the countless podcasts available from the brotherhood.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to, "Pray without ceasing," yet too many Christians fail to make their prayer life a daily priority. This last two months have provided ample opportunities for us to improve and increase our prayer life. Not only should the current situation make us more acutely aware of our dependence upon God, as our "down time" has increased, our prayer life should have increased. Has yours?

Since this virus has taken center stage, a lot of attention has been given to doctors, nurses and other "essential" workers. While there is nothing wrong with appreciating the work those people do, are we remembering the missionaries who are serving in foreign countries? As difficult as your life may have become recently, think about being thousands of miles from home, often in countries who don't have the healthcare standards as we in the United States have. Are we praying for those truly essential workers?

1 Peter 4:11 should speak to Christians very loudly at this time. "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ..." Yes, God can and will be glorified, even in times of global concern. But that will only happen if his believers make that happen. Face to face contact may be limited but even on social media, are you commenting on the political aspects of this current crisis, or are you speaking a good word for Jesus and sharing hope to others?

If ever this is a time for the Lord's church to, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16), now is that time. Check on the widow and elderly in your neighborhood. Make sure the single parent who now has their children at home 24/7 has help, support and supplies.

These days are golden opportunities for Christians worldwide. Let's not waste time in doing what we know we should be doing. We are prepared, "for such a time as this." Make the time count.

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 23 (Feasts and Observances)

2020-01-19T20:59:00.002-05:00

These instructions were given for the Hebrews to observe continually throughout their history. Two things to be gained by the Hebrews in doing so.
1. They would grow in their appreciation of what God did for them by redeeming them.
2. They would grow in their attitudes and disposition toward God through observing these days.
Great parallel for us today when we observe the Lord's Supper

"Holy Convocations" used 11 times in this chapter. Vs. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 21, 24, 27, 35
Seven holy convocations:
1. Passover
2. Feast of Unleavened Bread
3. Fest of First Fruits
4. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
5. Day of Atonement
6. Feast of Tabernacles
7. Harvest Festival

Each of these occasions had a historical connection or in some way pointed out God's blessings. Easily recognized by Israel. Not easily recognized were the prophetic aspects of them

Verses 3-4: "Do no work" Compare to "customary work" Look at vs. 7. 8. 21, 25, 35, 36
"No work" again in vs. 28 for Day of Atonement
No work...NOTHING! Not even preparing food
Customary work...your job (Exodus 12:16)

Verses 5-8: Passover and Unleavened Bread (Nisan) March/April
Passover, one day (Exodus 12)
Feast of Unleavened Bread, 7 consecutive days

Verse 8: Three things mentioned
1. Offering made by fire
2. Holy convocation on the 7th day
3. No customary work done
No details related to the "offering made by fire' are given here. Found in Numbers 28:19;24

Verses 9-14: Feast of First Fruits
It'll be more than 40 years from this point until this celebration will take place.
Offerings brought: male lamb as burnt offering (vs. 12), drink offering (vs. 13). Until they brought those, they were NOT to eat the grain (vs. 14). Why? God comes first!

Verses 15-21: Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
7 weeks after Passover
From the Greek pentekonta, meaning 50
Count the days from when the wave offering is made. 49 days, the next day is Pentecost

Verse 22: Almost appears as incidental but it's not. When one considers his own blessings, he should be mindful of the needs of others.

Verses 23-25: Feast of Trumpets (Beginning of the new civil year) and agricultural season. Month of Tishri (September/October)
Numbers 29:1-6
Whoa! Go back to verse 5
Difference in civil/sacred year

Verses 26-32: Day of Atonement

Verses 33-43: Feast of Tabernacles (Booths), Succoth
Began on 15th of Tishri
How do we understand verse 43?

Spence & Ezell's "The Pulpit Commentary": Historically, the Feast of Tabernacles is generally considered to commemorate the dwelling of tents throughout the 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Rather, it commemorates the first encampment of the Israelites after setting forth from Egypt, which took place at Succoth, the meaning of the word 'tabernacle.' Thus, as the event historically associated with the first harvest festival, the Passover, was setting forth from Egypt, that associated with the last, the Feast of Tabernacles, was the resting at the end of the first day's journey at Succoth, where the people now felt that they were free, and began to rejoice in their freedom."

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapters 21 and 22 (Instructions For Priests)

2020-01-16T22:09:00.000-05:00

9 times in these two chapters, "I am the Lord"
vs. 8, 12; 22:2-3, 8 and 30-33

What is the purpose of the Jews lives? To acknowledge the greatness of God
What is the purpose of our lives?
As we come before God today, we also need to be impressed with the great holiness of God and serve Him in reverence

Verses 1-4: Avoiding contact with dead bodies
Priests couldn't prepare wife for burial, she wasn't a blood relative
Egyptians were so preoccupied with death, hence the pyramids

Verses 5-9: More heathen practices forbidden
Canaanite funeral practices
7: Marrying a prostitute. 2 types, common and cultic which were used in "worship"
Same principle today Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:14-16
9: "burned with fire" after stoning, more than likely

Verses 16-23 Defects in priests
12 physical issues listed. Rabbis later expanded the list to 142 issues
This is more foreshadowing. Restricting those who had an imperfection was to avoid profaning God's sanctuary and sacrifices without blemish
Today: Our spiritual defilements are washed away by the spotless Son of God. We then have a responsibility to remain as clean as possible (Ephesians 5:26-27)

Chapter 22

1-3: Separation from ceremonial uncleanness
Which is harder, ceremonial uncleanness or spiritual uncleanness? (Consider when and how we approach the Lord's Supper)

4-16: Rights of the priest to the holy things
Look at 4-5, Pharisees became angry when Jesus would touch anyone who would make Him ceremonially unclean

19: "without blemish" Complete, perfect, conveys the idea that the sacrifice must be flawless
2nd Temple Period (Malachi 1:8-14)
New Testament repeatedly teaches God's people must bring their best
2 Corinthians 8-9, Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:1-20, Hebrews 13:15-16, 1 Peter 2:5

Billy Bland writes: Christians should remember the special relationship they have with God. It was God who brought us out of spiritual captivity and sanctified us. Like John, we should exclaim, 'Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knows us not because it knew Him not.' (1 John 3:1)

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 20 (Penalties For Breaking the Law)

2020-01-16T21:37:00.002-05:00

The narrative returns to certain laws and prohibitions mentioned earlier but with more detail, and with punishments given

1-5: Prohibited sacrificing children to Molech. Here is the punishment and the community's accountability. If not, God would deal with both the guilty and those who allowed it

6: Second aspect of pagan worship...mediums or wizards. "Whoring" used here, indicating spiritual prostitution. Is this any different than us today when we put other things before God?!

7-8: Stark contrast and condemnation of what's just been discussed. "I am the Lord your God." Reminder of ownership and relationship meant to reinforce loyalty and dedication

9: Mother mentioned here, see also 19:3 where mother is listed first.

10-21 Cover prohibitions and personal relationships
The following verses return to the material of chapter 18 (sexual immorality)
Go to 18:3-5 "ordinances," indicating there are two possible ways to live; God's way or the way of the other nations

22-27: Holiness. This section has distinct parts
1. Verse 22: Reminder to reject all customs and practices of the other nations and walk in God's instruction
2. Verses 24-26: Reminder of the blessings of God and the people's separate identity
One term used four times in these three verses, 24 "have separated, 25 "put difference" or "distinguish (NKJ), 26, "have severed" or "separated" (NKJ)

Again, emphasizing they are to be His and therefore totally different from others. Can they (we) be just a little bit different and still please God?

Summary: These weren't just whimsical laws. Each element was intended to uphold His high moral and ethical demands, to set boundaries between His people and foreign customs and to protect His nation from sin and suffering. His nation was expected to accept and live by His statutes. If this isn't relevant to us today...

19:2 is quoted in 1 Peter 1:16, indicating that although specific laws may be different, the principles concerning His right to legislate are unchanged

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 19 (Moral and Ceremonial Laws)

2020-01-15T22:00:00.000-05:00

10 Commandments are repeated here. They are foundational to these and all other laws from God

Verses 1-2: Give the basics for the next two chapters (see also the end of chapter 20)

Verses 3-8: Four distinct elements, each focusing on an area where God's authority is established and should be respected:
1. Within the home (v. 3)
2. Time...the Sabbath (v. 3)
3. Godhead Itself (v. 4) "I am the Lord" or "I am the Lord your God" 16 times in this chapter
4. Holiness of sacrifices and God's law (v. 5-8)

Verses 9-18: Social behavior and ethics of injustice

9 and 10 cover caring for the poor. Compassion for those in need (Matthew 19:21, Mark 12:42-43, Luke 4:18; 6:20; 11:41; 12:33; 14:13)
Moses will reiterate this command 40 years later in Deuteronomy 24:19-22

Verses 11-12: Honesty and uprightness in all dealings, echoing many of the 10 Commandments

13-14: Oppression and abuse - caring about others, not abusing positions of power (Deuteronomy 24:14-15, James 5:1-6)

15-16: Echoing Exodus 22:1-8, righteous judgement

17-18: Love. So important that Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-5 about love for God with is verse as a corollary (a proposition that follows and is attached to one that's already proven) in Mark 12:28-31

Luke 10:25-28 before the parable of the Good Samaritan lawyer asks, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asks what the Law of Moses required. The lawyer responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. What did Jesus say?

Verses 19-25 Cover Social practices and boundaries
At first glance these seem like random laws. However, these will all apply in Canaan. Also, these all involve one-sided relationships and all involve respecting divinely assigned boundaries

Verse 19: No reason given. Perhaps to maintain natural distinctions (Genesis 1:25, Deuteronomy 22:5-11)

Verses 20-22: "Concubine" or handmaid. Didn't die because she didn't have the power or control. Compensation was "scourging." This is the only time the term used here is used for scourging. It's also used elsewhere for "inquiry" and "compensation."

23-25: Fruit from newer trees doesn't taste good. More importantly, first fruits belonged to God. 4th year was holy to Him as a praise offering
God gave them the good the earth produced. Following the law resulted in increased production

26-31 Social Practices and Pagan Rituals
27-30: Associated with Canaanite funeral and worship practices, as was prostitution of young women. Tattoos showed you belonged to a cult

32-37 Social Respect
Focuses on those who may be susceptible to dismissive and disrespectful treatment
The elderly and the non-Israelite sojourner or immigrant (1 Timothy 5)
Immigrants didn't enjoy all the rights Hebrews had but were still expected to uphold the Hebrew law.
Go back to verse 5 and also Deuteronomy 10:19. Golden Rule!

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 18 (Sexual Laws)

2020-01-15T21:40:00.000-05:00

Purpose: To differentiate Israel from surrounding nations

Only by following the dictates of this book could Israel be the special people of God and accomplish the purpose for which God created them

This chapter spells out some of the most significant restrictions placed on them (vs. 6-24)

Consequences of Israel not obeying these commandments is spelled out in verses 25, 28-30

Verses 1-5: Idolatry and its effect on Israel
Six times "I am the Lord" appears in this chapter (vs. 2, 4, 5, 6, 21, 30). Shows these are God's commands

There's always temptation to imitate neighbors and to blend in with them. Being "different" was probably an issue then like it is today
People desire acceptance and too often we go to great lengths to receive it, even ignoring God

Ezra, 10 centuries later, discovered the extend of Israel's refusal to reject wrong of the Canaanites through the years (Ezra 9:1-2)
Romans 12:2 tells us the same thing today

Verses 6-18: Restrictions on marriage
The term "uncover the nakedness" is a metaphor to describe having sex
Verse 18 adds, "nor shall you take a woman" or "neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister," stressing that that marriage would be forbidden

Speaking of that verse, ASV..."shall not take a wife to her sister to be a rival to her in her lifetime." Is this referring to Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5)? Does it matter? God said one man/one woman

Verses 19-24: Five prohibitions regarding defilement of sex between husband and wife
1. During her "uncleanness" whether menstrual or after she gives birth
2. Having an affair (verse 20). Death penalty as shown in Exodus 20:14. Remember John 8 when the Pharisees tried to put Jesus on the spot
3. Verse 21 touches on idolatry again. Child sacrifice to Molech. He's mentioned five times in Leviticus; here, 20:2, 3, 4, 5.
Human sacrifice eventually made its way into Israel (1 Kings 11, 2 Kings 23, Jeremiah 32, Ezekiel 23:36-39)
4. Homosexualty, "abomination" from toebah, meaning "a disgusting thing, abominable." Ritually unclean and ethically wicked
Abomination or abominable are used 5 times in this chapter out of the 112 times used in the Old Testament
5. Beastiality practiced by Canaanites

Chapter 20 discusses penalties for behavior forbidden by God. Penalty for this is death. Exodus 22 and Deuteronomy 27 give additional information about the attitude of God about this

Verse 28: "the land vomit you out" spew

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 17 (Blood)

2020-01-15T18:03:00.001-05:00

Verse 7 "Demons" NKJV, devils (KJV), he-goats (ASV), goat demons (NASB)

Seirim: translates to devils, literally hairy or shaggy goats

Isaiah 13:21 "wild beasts of the desert" in pronouncing judgement on Babylon
Isaiah 34:14 "wild beasts of the desert" in pronouncing judgement on other nations

"Have played the harlot" Zanah, meaning "whoring." Used 18 times in the Bible including 20:5-6
The word itself or some form, whoredom, harlot, etc. used over 500 times in Scripture

Verses 10-12 Summarizes a key principle. The preciousness of man's eternal spirit, a principle taught through the sanctity of blood. Because blood can bring about the right relationship with God, the misuse (abuse) of blood destroys the right relationship with God

Blood - essential to life. "In the blood" Ephesians 1:7
Colossians 1:14 and also Hebrews 9:12-14

Verse 12 Stranger or alien is included. Reminder: We should not let those living among us become a hindrance to our service to God. Allowing others to continue their ways, 1. misses opportunities to teach them God's way and 2. lowers the barrier of acceptance.

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 16 (Day of Atonement)

2020-01-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

Highlight chapter of the book. The day was celebrated on the 10th day of the 7th month, roughly October from sunset to sunset.

Atonement; kophar, meaning, "to cover." See Genesis 5:15 when Noah was told to, "cover (kophar) it inside and out with pitch."

Also, Jacob in Genesis 443:20 describing his intent to pacify or appease his brother's wrath. "I will appease him." Cover his wrath
Used in reference of forgiveness, mercy, pardon, reconciliation. This is important later with the mercy seat

It's the day in which God allowed the sins of Israel to be covered and His righteous wrath appeased

Was also a reminder to man of his own sinfulness and the desperate need to have his sins covered as he approaches Holy God

*Note: "Before the Lord" appears 60 times in this book

Verse 1 - Keil and Delitzsch write: The chronological link connecting the following law with the death of the sons of Aaron was intended, not only to point out the historical event which led to the appointment of the day of atonement, but also to show the importance and holiness attached to an entrance into the sanctuary of God.

Nadab and Abihu died for failing to approach God in the prescribed manner. The priest who seeks to approach God must do so on His terms. This chapter gives us those terms

Verse 2 - "Mercy seat" the lid or covering of the ark (Covering = atonement!) Exodus 25:22
Similar to approaching a king or dignitary. There's a certain, special way

Verses 3-5 Five animals selected: bull, two rams, two male goats

Bull and a ram for a sin offering (sins of ignorance and ceremonial defilement) and burnt offering (worship) for atonement for Aaron and his family. Other animals were for Israel

Verse 4 - Aaron washing and wore special attire. Humble clothing, plain and white. Purity! Whether clothing, washing or sacrifice, the way one approaches God is being stressed here. Also notice it's linen; why? (John 20) Atoning for sins was a sanctified process demanding purity and complete holiness. (Jesus!)

Notice water. Used in all 3 dispensations as a means of purification. Noah in Genesis 7, here and today according to 1 Peter 3:21

Verse 6 - After bathing, putting on holy clothes and selecting animals, the priest then offers the bull for a sin offering to atone for both his sins, "and for his house." Does it remind us of Matthew 7:5? Casting out the plank in our own eye before worrying about someone else's speck.

Verses 7-10 After taking care of his own sins, the priest has the responsibility of presenting two goats. One is offered on behalf of the people, the other is the scapegoat. Azazel: the one carrying away evil.

Robert Jamieson in Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary: The priest placed one of the goats on his right hand, and the other on his left. Two pieces of gold exactly alike, inscribed 'for Jehovah' and 'for Azazel' were then placed in a bag or covered box; and the priest placed both hands inside and took out both pieces in each hand. That in his left hand he placed on the head of the goat on that side, and that in his right hand on the other goat's head. That determined the fate of each." (Skip to verse 21)

Isaiah 53:12 "And He was numbered with the transgressors and He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 53:6 "The Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all."
Hebrews 9:23-28 and Hebrews 10:10

The guilt on Azael was not its own and was sent outside the camp. (Hebrews 13:10-12)

Verses 11-24 Give us the atonement ceremony

11-13 Moses reveals the order of the ceremony and gives further instruction. Before bringing sacrificial blood into the Holy of Holies, Aaron had to burn incense. To hide from the face of God? Or as a symbol of prayer?
Regardless, it would protect Aaron from God's wrath

Verses 14-19 Sprinkling blood on the mercy seat. 7 times, complete and perfect. Also done (v15) with goat's blood from sin offering

We'll see in chapter 17 blood is an important symbol of purification (17:11) Here, the covering of sins by the blood of goat 1, the 2nd goat carried away those sins Hebrews 9:22

Wilderness: A land cut off, completely isolated from the surrounding country by some barrier or rock which would make it impossible for the goat to come back again. Thus the sins were utterly lost, as though they had never been, and they could not return to the sanctified people.

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 15 (Personal Uncleanness

2020-01-14T22:10:00.000-05:00

This ends the section dealing with uncleanness

Chapter 11 covered clean/unclean animals
Chapter 12 details a woman's uncleanness after birth
Chapters 13 and 14 deal with skin diseases

This chapter involves the uncleanness caused by body secretions as well as the process of restoring ritual cleanliness

Five parts:
1. Verses 1-5 Relate to a man's abnormal discharges
2. Verses 16-17 Concern a man's normal discharges
*Verse 18 Deals with both man and woman regarding sex (We'll return to that later)
3. Verses 19-30 Both abnormal and normal discharges of women. Order is reversed from the instructions for a man
4. Verses 25-30 Women's normal discharge and what's to be done
(Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:23-24, Luke 8:43-48
5. Verses 25-30 Women's abnormal discharge and what's to be done

Chiastic writing: Means two equal thoughts come together, focusing on one point. Here, men and women are treated the same in these verses. Focus is on verse 18 - the one verse relating to both regarding normal sexual relations.
*Implication is that God recognized the sexual relationship between husband and wife are a significant part of life.
(Bonus point, it also put women on equal footing with men in a time that women were considered less worthy than men)

Why do we have this chapter? Is it just private parts or whole body involved?
Verse 13 indicates whole body, talking of sickness. Is it diarrhea or gonorrhea?

Remember, at this time they've been out of Egypt for a year
Every adult had been born and raised in Egypt
Not hard to believe they still hadn't emptied their minds of heathenism
Even if they had, it's possible some are suffering from diseases they'd contracted in Egypt
These regulations would help stop the spread of disease

Verses 1-3 "Discharge" issue
Body runs or is stopped up, running issue, flow or gush
Except for Leviticus 22:4, Numbers 5:2, 2 Samuel 3:29 all usages are in this chapter

Verses 31-33 An explanation why the unclean were to be handled this way
Second, a summary of what was covered

Application - Every single facet of life was directed by God to be directed to God.
Our uncleanness today comes from within

Matthew 15:2 Pharisees condemn apostles for eating without washing hands. "Tradition of elders" He who eats with unwashed hands is as bad as he who commits fornication

Matthew 15:10-15 We get to the core of what renders one unclean before God...what's in one's heart!

Leviticus Study Notes - Ritual For Cleansing Healed Lepers (Chapter 14)

2019-12-22T18:46:00.000-05:00

Comparison of leprosy and sin: Horrible, painful and unsightly as it numbs, cripples, deadens and destroys the soul of man

In chapter 14 it's interesting that we don't see the healing of the leprosy. We see the cleansing of the leper and the restoration of that person to the company of God's people

Why is that important? Restoration requires more than outward change. It requires a cleansing which only obedience to God's law can bring.

God's law for man then and now provides the way back for those who have been separated from Him

Verses 1-3: Outside the camp (We must go out among the unclean!)

Verses 4-7: This ritual has some things in common with other rituals used to remove sin or impurity

Two living and clean birds - pigeons or turtledoves. In common with the two goats on the Day of Atonement (Chapter 16)
Cedar - perhaps juniper. Known to have medicinal value
Scarlet - in KJV and NKJV, RSV added "stuff," NIV, "yarn," NAS "string," others have "material" or "thread"
Origin: coccus ilicus - A crimson or scarlet worm, looks like a grub. Female lays eggs on a tree, attaches herself to the tree over the eggs for protection. As larvae consume her body, blood runs down the tree, staining it. Harvested at the right time, the blood is used to dye fabric

The Hebrew word is pronounced as "shaw-nee," meaning crimson, the insect of its color or material dyed with it. Same word is used in Psalm 22:6, "But I am a worm and not a man..."

Scarlet thread: Genesis 38:27-30 - sons of Judah and Tamar were being born. Midwife tied thread to Zerah then Perez was born first. Jesus came from the lineage of Perez (Matthew 1:3)

Scarlet was part of the tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26:1) and the High Priest's ephod (Exodus 28:6)
Rahab the Harlot (Joshua 2:18) "Tie this cord of scarlet in the window"
Blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22) "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"

Hyssop - Note that in Numbers 19 a red heifer is sacrificed. Cedar, hyssop and scarlet were tied together and thrown on the burning cow. When it was all burned to ash, the ash was used to purify water
Used as an antiseptic (Psalm 51) and also as a cough reliever

The process - One bird was killed over running (living) water. Bird's blood was mixed with the water and collected in the vessel. The other bird, cedar, scarlet and hyssop were dipped in that blood. Blood was then sprinkled on the person being cleansed

Meaning? No inspired explanation is given. Sprinkling of the dead bird's blood may represent the cleansing of the diseased person just as sprinkled blood was used in seeking atonement for sin

Freed bird may symbolize the person was no longer imprisoned by the disease but was free to go where he wanted. May also represent freedom from possible death they faced

Or, placing the dead bird's blood on the person and the living bird, "the ritual impurity was transferred from the person to the living bird, via the blood of the slain bird and the living bird carried the impurity away."

Verse 10: Healed person was allowed in the camp on the 8th day. Special significance in this book, marking a new beginning and is generally associated with rest and celebration (verse 23; 9:1, 3; 12:3; 15:14, 29; 22:27; 23:36, 39)

Verses 11-13: A trespass offering was given. Why?
The afflicted person had been absent from the community and was separated from God by not being allowed in the Holy Place

Verses 18-20: Sin offering and burnt offering given. Making atonement
Third time in three verses it's stated these sacrifices made atonement. "He shall be clean."

Verses 21-32: Provisions for the poor are made. Birds are substituted for lambs

Verses 33-53: Deal with homes
Note the promise in 34, "When you have come into the land of Canaan"

Verses 43-47: An incurable case

Verses 48-53: Cleansing rituals

Ted Thrasher in The Cleansing of Leprosy wrote, "Surely we can see God's great provision for our cleansing, restoration and fellowship with Him and the faithful in the comparisons of His dealing with leprosy. God has provided the cleansing blood of His only Son. We can all have fellowship with Him and the righteous when we are cleansed of our sins, put on the clean garments of righteousness and remain faithful."

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 13

2019-12-22T18:19:00.001-05:00

Hebrew word for leprosy tsara'at: An attack, from the word meaning "to scourge." Related to the word hornet. Exodus 23:28, Deuteronomy 7:20, Joshua 24:12

"A traditional, general term covering a wide variety of maladies. Leprosy was a dreaded skin disease which destroyed the human flesh." Possible skin disorders covered here: leprosy, Hansen's Disease, different kinds of skin disorders which appeared like leprosy but disappeared; herpes, ringworm, ezema, psoriasis

Sometimes a mark of Divine displeasure as seen in Exodus 4:6, Numbers 12:10, 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Kings 5:27

NOTE: Items cannot get true leprosy, only flesh can. 13:47 and 14:34 clearly discuss clothing and houses. Therefore, that can't be specific leprosy

Verse 2: Also shows the theme of the chapter; one who has something on his skin, swelling, a scab, bright spot

Verses 3-8: Two different problems described here - Minor because the disorder wasn't severe and isolation was short. Major in verse 7, "spread at all" indicates seriousness

Ritual period of 7 days is common in Leviticus: 8:33; 12:2; 14:8; 15:13, 28; 23:6, 25:4. "7" appears 176 times in this book!

Isolation example - See King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:21

Verses 9, 11, 15: "unclean" Seven times in this one chapter a person is declared unclean. Verses 11, 15, 36, 44, 46, 51, 55

Case 1 in verses 9-17 A swelling of the skin
Case 2 in verses 18-23 A boil on the skin
Case 3 in verses 24-28 A burn on the skin
Case 4 in verses 29-37 Infections on the head
Case 5 in verses 38-39 Bright spots
Case 6 in verses 40-44 Infection on a bald head

Verses 45-46: Consequences of the disease
The rules to this point have stated that people were to be classified as leprous and pronounced unclean but until now we're not told what was to happen to them

Tear their clothes, uncover the hair on the head (disheveled?), cover mustache, cry "unclean, unclean," live outside the camp

See the 10 diseased men with Jesus in Luke 17:11-14
Other examples of Israelites excluded due to disease: Miriam in Numbers 12 and Four Lepers of Samaria in 2 Kings 7

Verses 47-59: Clothing and Garments
Dealing with mold, mildew and fungus

Verse 55: "warp or in the woof"
Only place this is found in the Bible. NIV says, "woven" or knitted. Knitting wasn't invented until the Middle Ages.
A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament says, "Set of threads drawn lengthwise in the loom through which the shuttle bearing the wool is woven."
Meaning...any part of the garment!

Application: A person's uncleanness belonged to that person and only that person
Purge it out! "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." Matthew 18:9; Mark 9:47
Not every diseased person was sinful but the analogy still holds

Sin contaminates and ultimately destroys those who practice it
Can a person "catch" sin? A sinful environment doesn't make one a sinner. (Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon)
We need to be among sinners (Jesus was), to teach them
Yet it can be contagious. Why did Paul write 1 Corinthians 15:33? "Bad company corrupts good morals
Sin isn't contagious because it can't be inherited (Ezekiel 18)
Sin is contagious if we allow others to influence us

Leviticus Study Notes - Purification (Chapter 12)

2019-10-13T19:22:00.001-04:00

Israel was a society heavily influenced by the patriarchal customs
However, one aspect that makes Hebrew law and customs different from their neighbors is the high and holy status of women within its society

It may see at first that women didn't have a lot of rights but they were never subjugated to a status level below their dignity. In early Jewish society, they were a protected class to be honored, valued and respected

This makes sense because of the importance placed on women in bringing forth the Messiah (Genesis 3:15)

Leviticus treats the concept of sacrifice in three ways:
1. Reason: Because man is sinful
2. Rule: That the sacrificial offering is given as a substitute for man's debt
3. Ritual: The ceremony of action which God has stipulated, to be carried out by humans in order to approach God

Ritual is what this chapter deals with, emphasizing a woman's value in presenting a sacrifice

Also, it deals with blood
Blood of sacrifices: life is in the blood
Later, it's essential to life (17:11) and a woman's monthly cycle is dealt with in 15:19-24

A discharge of blood would make you unclean, which acknowledges the importance of blood. A woman's uncleanness made it obvious that something momentous happened when she lost blood in childbirth

Gordon J. Whenham wrote, "A bleeding or discharging body lacks wholeness and is therefore unclean. Loss of blood can lead to death, the antithesis of normal, healthy living. Anyone losing blood is at least in danger of becoming less than perfect and therefore unclean. Thus, blood is at once the most effective ritual cleanser (the blood makes atonement, 17:11), and the most polluting substance when it is in the wrong place."

Verse 1 - In other ancient societies, priests of various idol sects would originate lass which governed childbirth. This law came from God

Verse 2 - "If a woman has conceived..." (NKJ) Translated, "If a woman conceive seed..." The force emphasizes that the birth process begins at conception. Therefore, the life begins at conception!

Verse 3 - Why the 8th day? "The presence of certain characteristics in the human blood (most notably vitamin K) are at their highest levels on the 8th day following birth. This suggests the male infant's ability for blood coagulation is at its greatest" at this time.

Why circumcision? Other cultures had rituals and rites of passage for males, why this? It was a very conscious separation between them and other people. Throughout the Bible, how are other people referred to? "Uncircumcised"

Circumcision was not simply a cultural initiation, nor was it a means to achieve just an ethnic separation. It had a much deeper spiritual significance.

First given to Abraham in Genesis 12
"Not only was it an act of initiation into the family of God but a symbolic representation that the physical means of presentation of the seed, which would ultimately bring forth the Messiah, was that which itself had been devoted to God and marked for service to the Divine." (Joseph Meador)

The need for physical circumcision ended with the coming of Christ. At that point, the emphasis on it takes on a deeper and more spiritual meaning

Colossians 2:11 (Entrance into the community of His people)
Romans 2:25-29
Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh"

Our minds, our hearts should be marked as a sign of devotion to God. The mind of a Christian should be just as discernible to other people as the physical mark would've been to the ancient people

Verse 5 - Why the longer period of uncleanness for having a girl? Not a matter of gender bias. Possibly because a daughter would be a future mother, again stressing the importance of the female. Also gave them twice as long to bond

Keep this in mind: medical reasons
Don DeWelt, "Hygienic-medicinal reasons for the strict laws of separation at childbirth immediately come to mind. A very high mortality rate at birth is almost always associated with contamination through contact. If the mother and child are isolated for 40 or certainly 80 days, the chances for survival are greatly increased."

Verses 6-8 - Purification offering
1. Ended the period of her purification
2. Allowed her to assemble with the congregation at the tabernacle

Could give a lamb or two turtledoves or two pigeons
See Mary in Luke 2:22-24

Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 11 (Clean vs. Unclean)

2019-10-12T23:03:00.000-04:00

This begins a new section of the book which continues through chapter 15. It seems to interrupt the narrative leaving chapter 10 which picks up again with 16.

While this chapter deals with foods and animals, 12 covers a mother's ritual cleanness after childbirth, 13 and 14 cover skin diseases and 15 deals with people unclean due to bodily discharges.

This is new material but it was previewed in 10:10
View these chapters as what the priests were to teach the Israelites to understand, "the clean and the unclean"

This chapter begins by specifying animals, which were clean and which were not
Then gives description of how people could become unclean and what to do when it happened
Concludes by noting the purpose of identifying clean animals. God defining what His people could and could not eat (11:46-47)

Clean and unclean animals goes back to the time of Noah (Genesis 7:2-3, 8; 8:20)

1. First few verses describe four legged animals. Two characteristics necessary for them to be used for food:
a. Split hooves
b. Chewed the cud
Allowed: Cattle, sheep, goats, gazelles, antelopes

Deuteronomy 14 is parallel to this chapter and specifies oxen, sheep, goats, deer, gazelles and roebucks (type of deer), goats, ibex (type of mountain goat), antelope and mountain sheep

Verse 5 - Rock hyrax: looks like a guinea pig. Although it looks like a rodent, it's a pachyderm...doesn't chew the cud

Verse 6 - The hare (rabbit): Doesn't really chew cut like cattle
"The text doesn't claim scientific precision; it simply makes it possible for an observer to know how to identify a clean animal."

Verse 8 - "You shall not" same absolute form as laws of the Ten Commandments. Notice touching an unclean animal if it was alive didn't make one unclean. If it had, horses, donkeys or camels couldn't have been used and ridden

2. Verses 9-12 deal with fish
Clean animals had to have two characteristics, so did fish
a. Fins
b. Scales
Eliminates shellfish: shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels, oysters, scallops

You better know Acts 10 and 11 and Galatians 2!

3. Verses 13-19 deal with birds
Here, God didn't bother to give a list of what was clean or not, nor did He give reasons why some were clean and others weren't. He simply listed 20 kinds of unclean birds

What made them unclean? One common characteristic: they were meat eaters. Their diet consisted of other dead creatures

Four times this passage lists a bird then adds "in its kind" or "in its kinds" which communicates that all varieties of that bird should be regarded as unclean

Verse 19 - The bad: not a bird, it's a mammal. Of course it has a lot in common with birds. Again, not concerned about scientific exactness

4. Winged Insects Verses 20-23
Who would eat locusts? Matthew 3:4, John the Baptist "locusts and wild honey"
(Side note) R.K. Harrison in the Leviticus book of the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: "As a food, locusts have been eaten in the Near East for millennia. A royal banquet scene from the palace of Ashurbanipal (669-627 BC), the last great Assyrian king, depicted servants bringing locusts on sticks for the guests to eat."

Notice no penalty is given if they ate unclean foods. What would happen? Death like Nadab and Abihu? Most scholars believe that eating unclean foods made a person unclean. To be clean again, he'd have to follow the same procedures required if he became unclean by touching something unclean.

Verses 24-40 deal with uncleanness in people
Rules can be summed up:
1. Touching a dead animal made you unclean
2. The remedy was washing with water and allowing time to pass
3. Dead animals contaminated things and the things contaminated had to be made clean. If this wasn't possible, they'd be destroyed

24-28: Contact with unclean animals
Touch it, wash yourself
Pick it up, also wash clothes
You'd be unclean until evening. Consequence: Can't enter the tabernacle area or give a sacrifice

29-38: Contact with unclean swarming animals and reptiles
Q: What if carcass fell in an oven or stove?
A: Destroy it (Verse 35)

Q: What if carcass fell into or touched a spring or cistern?
A: Didn't make it unclean, perhaps because over time water replenishes it (Verse 36)

Q: What if it touched a seed?
A: Seed was clean unless it was also touched by unclean water (verses 37-38)

The reason for these requirements (41-45)
First and last statements say the same thing. God gave the reason for the law in the middle statement twice, at the beginning and at the end

Also, perhaps avoiding practices connected to idolatry
distinguish God's people from others
promote general welfare of people

Leviticus Study Notes - Good and Bad (Chapter 10)

2019-09-28T22:04:00.002-04:00

Although the laws are different, the principles of the Old Testament still apply in a New Testament world
This chapter deals with priests, setting them apart, making them different. Not more important, just different. The same applies today with preachers, elders and deacons. There is responsibility!

Remember, there's the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, outside is the courtyard.
An ordinary Israelite could get no closer to God than the courtyard
Priest could enter the Holy Place
High Priest could enter the Most Holy, but only once a year (Day of Atonement)

Nadab & Abihu: In the Holy Place which included the altar of incense, in front of the veil separating the Holy and the Most Holy

We should picture the tremendous opportunity
We should think of us today, what we have when we assemble...the opportunity to come close to God in collective worship, thinking, "I'm in the presence of the best people there are, as we come to God."
That's what the priesthood needed to say to Israel

There's a lesson and reminder here of the greatness of Jehovah and the greatness of being His people

Verse 1 - Rashness of Nadab & Abihu. Notice the word "each."
Offered, karob: "to approach"
Strange fire: Root word pronounced zeuar. Means to turn aside from a lodging place. It came to mean, "to be a foreigner, to be strange, to be profane." NKJV: profane fire. KJV, ASV: strange fire. ESV: unauthorized fire

They offered it before God. They didn't just offer it. They're not just doing something, they're doing something they think is for Jehovah. Notice though it's not something he authorized or commanded!

Zeuar: is used 4 times
Exodus 30:9 it refers to incense. "You shall not offer strange incense"
Here and in Numbers 3:4 it refers to fire
Deuteronomy 32:16 "They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods"
Proverbs 2:16 "To deliver you from the immoral (NKJV) woman"

This is a great place to go back to when discussing the need for authority
Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord." Can't do it (anything!) in His name if He's not authorized it!

Back to the text, "unauthorized fire WHICH HE HAD NOT COMMANDED"
KJ, ASV: which He commanded them not

Remember when we stressed the verses in chapter 8, commanded, commanded, commanded?
There are four in chapter 9: verses 6, 7, 10 and 23

You read commanded, commanded, commanded. Get to 10:1, "which He had not commanded." Tremendous contrast!

This is the first sin committed in tabernacle worship. First recorded sin in every dispensation had to do with worship
Genesis 4: Cain and Abel. Cain violates faith. Hebrews 11, "Abel offered by faith" which implies revelation
Mosaic Age: Right here, first sin has to do with worship
Acts 5: First sin recorded after church was established, Ananias & Sapphire had to do with giving, which is incorporated in worship

Sadly, the mindset never changed through the Bible or even today: I can do what I want to do
That's why we have congregations with problems. "I like it, we like it." Sadly it's no longer a problem with just denominations

What about the fire? Maybe they got it from the wrong place but that's not what the Bible says. Perhaps they offered it at the wrong time

They're at the right place, at the right time, in the right clothes, with the right qualifications and did one thing wrong. All that right didn't make it right to do wrong
It's how many view false teachers today: Well, they're doing a lot of good.

The silence of Jehovah is compelling. "God didn't tell them NOT to do it!" How big would the Bible be if God listed everything we couldn't do?!

God gave the principle and said, "I gave you sense enough to apply the principle."
Good intentions don't take the place of obedience

Verse 2 - God reacts. A reminder that He reacts to everything we do
Do not do less than God authorizes
Do not go beyond what God authorizes
Do not substitute anything for God's way

Notice Aaron's other two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. How come they're not as well known as the two who did wrong? Why do we emphasize the sinners so much without giving credit to those who get it right?

Leviticus Study Notes - Beginning of the Priestly Ministry (Chapter 9)

2019-09-27T21:27:00.001-04:00

Verses 9 and 23 are the only ones in the book that include the word, "glory." Purpose of this chapter (the inaugural act of worship), was to recognize God's presence among His people. It was symbolized by the fiery glory of the Lord which would give great assurance to the congregation of God's favor

Verse 1-6 - Call to worship (Obey the commands!)
In verse 2 Aaron and his sons have undergone 7 days of consecration. Why did they need to again offer a sin offering and a burnt offering? To demonstrate their constant need for atonement before they officiate as mediators

In 3-5 Aaron giving instructions continues to elevate him in the congregation's eyes.
4 of the 5 offerings are offered here. Trespass is the exception because it was a private, individual ceremony
Notice also in verse 3, the only instances in the sacrificial history where a calf is prescribed as a sacrifice. The ESV renders it "a calf one year old."

Verse 5 is important because it repeats a theme from the end of Exodus in to Leviticus. The people did what they had been told to do

9-10 - In chapter 4:5-6 the priest is instructed to take some of the blood into the tabernacle (the tent itself) and sprinkle it before the Lord in front of the veil. Here, he doesn't go inside but applies the blood on the altar which is in the courtyard.
Why? Perhaps it's because he's not yet allowed to enter the Holy Place until after the sacrifices had been completed (verse 23)

8-11 - This is the first time Aaron has left the tabernacle in a week. Also shows everyone that the priest is not benefiting from this offering

By the end of 21 the priests are officially ordained. Offerings they gave:
Sin - So the people might be forgiven
Burnt - To express their dedication to God
Peace - So they might rejoice in the blessing of peace with general well being and prosperity

22-23 - Obedience given. Then and only then did the glory of the Lord appear

24 - Awe and respect also come when obedience to the Lord is given

God's glory still comes when we do what He says to do, the way He says to do it. Just not in a visible, physical way

Leviticus Study Notes - Consecration of the Priests (8:14-36)

2019-09-26T21:44:00.000-04:00

Moses oversees this event. The last time he will act as spiritual leader of the people

Continuation of first part of the chapter, where we left after anointing Aaron and his sons to focus on the sacrifices. Now that the sacrificial system has been introduced, we return to this chapter.

14-17 - Bull as a sin offering. Again, what part can be left out and be pleasing to God?

18-20 - Ram as burnt offering. It's total incineration signifies the total dedication of the priests to the Lord's service

22-29 - Second ram as "ram of consecration" or "ram of ordination"
Several steps involved:
Moses presents the ram (22a)
Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram's head (22b)
Moses kills the ram (23a)
Moses places blood on Aaron's right earlobe, right thumb and right big toe (23b), representing that what he heard, what he handled and wherever he went, he was God's. See Exodus 29:20

How does this apply to us today? Romans 12 - I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service

Moses then sprinkles the rest of the blood on the altar
Then takes the fat, the right thigh, three kinds of grain offerings, gives them to Aaron and his sons who present them as a "wave" (elevated) offering. Not for Moses or the people but for those in the process of becoming priests

31-36 - Instructions for the next seven days
By now a lot has happened: Tabernacle and its components have been anointed, Aaron and his sons have been anointed, three sacrifices have been offered and Aaron here is given specific instructions regarding the meat of the sacrifices. But there's still more to do

Continue this process for seven days (Also recorded in Exodus 29)
Live in the court of the tabernacle
Why? Verse 34, "To make atonement"
God's priests had to be and had to be seen as holy. How are those in God's royal priesthood today seen by others?

Also, living in the tabernacle court in sight of all Israel emphasized that from this time forward, priests are dedicated to God and would be supported by the rest of the nation

Great lessons here for church leaders. With great opportunity and privilege comes great responsibility.

Leviticus Study Notes - Sin Offering (4:1 through 5:13)

2019-09-25T22:05:00.000-04:00

This passage covers the instructions given to the Israelite people
Laws for the priests concerning this offering are given in 6:24-30

This is for unintentional sins through neglect, not premeditated, defiant sins

Important: Also known as the purification offering (See 12:6-8). Purification as removal of moral sin as well as ritual uncleanness

Notice the wording of verse 1, indicating a transition from voluntary offerings. An Israelite guilty of sins covered by the sin and trespass (guilt) offering was condemned if he failed to offer these sacrifices

Burnt Offering: Request for forgiveness in general
Sin Offering: Request for forgiveness of a particular sin
Trespass Offering: Request for forgiveness of a particular kind of sin

Similar to our prayers, "Forgive me of my sins" (Burnt)
Recognizing we're guilty of specific sins (Sin or Trespass)

Chapter 4 gives us four categories of sinners and what they must offer to be forgiven
A good contrast to Numbers 15:27-31 which outlines defiant (open rebellion) sinning. "Cut off from among his people."

Notice the comparison to living in willful sin today: Hebrews 10:26-31
Ignorance is no excuse!

Verse 3 - First category of sinner: Anointed Priest
Had to give a bull, the largest and most expensive option

Verses 4-10 - Similar steps as for a burnt offering. Blood was used to make atonement in a series of ritual steps

Verses 11-12 - Different than any other sacrificial instructions in the book. The fat was burned but the rest had to be taken outside the camp and burned in a clean place. No priest could profit from the sacrifice. Also, the removal of the animal is symbolic that the sin has been removed from the camp
"Where the ashes are poured out" only occurs here

Verse 13 - 2nd category of sinner: Whole congregation
What kind of sin would this be? Possible it's a result of something a priest did, perhaps a violation of ceremonial laws

Look at verse 20: First time "forgiveness" is used in the book. Will be seen 10 times. Verses 26, 31, 35, 5:10, 13, 16, 18, 6:7, 19:22

Verses 22-26 - Category 3: A leader
Bring a goat. Notice the difference in animals. Why?
Unlike previous examples, no blood was taken inside the tabernacle (verse 25). Based on 6:24-30 the priests were allowed to eat the animals

Verses 27-31 - Category 4: Common people
A female goat
Same procedure as that for a leader in 22

Can also bring a lamb (32-35), same process

Ephesians 2:11-13, why did the process change?

Three cases requiring a sin offering:
1. Failing to act as a witness when he knew the truth
2. Touching something unclean and not realizing it
3. Careless oaths whether good or bad

Leviticus Study Notes - Peace Offering

2019-09-24T22:09:00.000-04:00

This was voluntary. (Note: Entire system of God's [creation/redemption] is voluntary) Also called the Fellowship Offering, it's covered in 22:17-30 in what is and is not accepted

Could be any animal without blemish. Species varied according to the giver's economic status

Symbolized fellowship with God
1. Thankfulness for a specific blessing
2. Offers a ritual expression of a vow
3. Symbolized general thankfulness

Signified communion with God because it's the only sacrifice in which the giver ate a shared meal with the priests. This is the offering Aaron would give part of as a "wave offering" (9:18-21)

Guests of the giver, his family, Levites, the poor were part of the meal (Deuteronomy 12, 16). Shared meals were part of the early church in Acts 2:46, "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house they ate their food with gladness..."

Burnt offering was given before the Peace offering to convey the importance of atonement as the basis for fellowship with God (verses 5, 6:12)

Verses 3-4 - Fat was considered the best part of an animal and associated with power. Especially associated with this offering
Figuratively, kidneys conveyed a person's feelings and inner thoughts

Verse 9 - "Fat tail" A heavy fat organ weighing between 5-15 lbs. (30 possibly), considered a delicacy

Verses 12-17 - Same instructions except for a goat. 16 and 17 give new information: All fat is the Lord's and Israelites weren't to eat blood. "Perpetual statute throughout all your generations."

Priests Point of View

Given in conjunction with a grain offering (12-13)
The part given to the priest was to be eaten that day
The rest to be given to the worshipper

Application: "Indicated the fact that forgiveness of sins resulted in communion with God and God's people." How important is this today and how importantly do we treat it?!

Christ as our peace offering (Ephesians 2:13-18)

3 of the 5 offerings outlined are voluntary.
Time Magazine, July 17, 2017 Zurich University researchers study giving
NY Post, September 15, 2015 "People who give money to charity tend to be happier and also healthier than others..."

Leviticus Study Notes - Grain Offering

2019-09-24T20:56:00.001-04:00

This was a voluntary offering

Hebrew: minchah, meaning gift

Different from the burnt offering because it didn't result in atonement. Also, only a small amount was burned; the rest was given to the priests

Chapter divided into 3 sections:
1. Rules about offering uncooked grains
2. What was to be done when someone offered cooked grain
3. Instructions about how the first fruits of the grain must be offered

Thanksgiving...a gift. Acknowledged God as the source of provision and prosperity
Given as a gift of thanks for all the gifts from God

"It represents a man's gift of homage, whereby he acknowledges God's sovereignty over all things and over himself, by offering to Him a portion of that which He had graciously bestowed in abundance."

Rarely offered by itself. Often included with burnt offerings and peace offerings (at least 8 times in this book). Numbers 15:4-10 specifies how much grains was to be offered with several different kinds of animal sacrifices

Verse 1 - Oil, probably olive oil.
Frankincense: expensive to purchase. From an old French word meaning, "high quality incense." Franc meant noble or pure. From the Boswella trees, known to grow in harsh climates. Slash the bark, let the resin bleed out and harden. Known to exist for 6,000 years. Taken to Europe during the Crusades. Full quality comes out when it's burned as incense

The point is, the one who brought a grain offering was not giving God something which cost him nothing!

Verse 2 - After the one offering brought the grain, added oil and frankincense, the priest took over. The part offered was the "memorial portion" representing the whole. It's suggested that this also reminded the Israelites of what God had done for them

Verse 3 - Tells us the rest went to priests. Since it had been offered to holy God and part of it was consumed by fire on the holy altar, it must be regarded as holy and therefore eaten in a holy place (6:16).

Verses 4-10 - Three options on how to cook it
1. Oven
2. Griddle
3. Pan
Four things both types of this offering had in common:
1. Fine flour (best, worked for and worked over to remove any impurities)
2. Include oil in the mixture
3. Offered on fire
4. Remainder belonged to the priests

Verses 11-16 - Special rules
Worshipper had latitude in this offering but God still required some things. Both positive and negative commands here

Verse 11 - No leaven or honey. Not told specifically why
Yes, leaven often represents sin (and there is leaven in honey also) but not always. Both were part of the offering of the firstfruits (Exodus 23:16-17; 34:22-23; Leviticus 23:17-18)
Both elements were employed in pagan worship. Regardless of why though, this is how God wanted it!

Verse 12 shows us the offering of firstfruits which we'll see more about in Feast of Harvest in chapter 23. Since these weren't burnt on the altar, the rule about leaven and honey didn't apply

A positive command in verse 13: salt was to be included. Thought to symbolize the continuing covenant between God and His people (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5). Also thought to symbolize peace and loyalty. Based on the idea that salt was a preservative in the ancient world.
"Salt of the world"

Lesson: Give what you have! (Luke 21:1-4, Widow's mite)

Burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings were voluntary. Do we grasp the concept? Do we give only because we're commanded to or because we're able to?

Christ in this offering: Look at the grain. Finely milled, no hulls, dirt or particles (imperfections). It's purity and evenness, at its best. "Without sin" (Hebrews 4:15) No unevenness found in Him
Paul tells us we're expected to "be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:10).

Sincere (Greek: eilikrines) literally means "tested by the light of the sun"
How they tested pottery looking for imperfections. The idea of being without wax is transferred to the moral realm. There should be a purity and evenness to our lives in contrast to the coarse world.

This offering meant one worked. Where did one get this grain?
Christ is also in the grain offering. Perfect (as fine flour), anointed with the Spirit (oil), offering prayers (frankincense).
Acts 10:4: Cornelius "prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God"

From The Priest's Point of View

Beginning of 14 tells us this was addressed to the priests
Pretty much the same as what we've just seen but in 17 and 18 there's an emphasis that this is a permanent offering. Anyone who touched them had to be holy

20-23 - Instructions are given for an offering when Aaron and his sons are consecrated (chapter 8). This will be a continual offering, day and night.

An ephah is about a bushel

Leviticus Study Notes - Burnt Offerings

2019-09-22T22:14:00.001-04:00

Chapters covering offerings are 1:1 through 6:7, then repeated in 6:8 through 7:36
The first descriptions are given from the viewpoint of the Israelite making the offerings. The second considers the various sacrifices as the priests had to deal with them

Most common of the sacrifices: Bull, ram, male goat, turtledove or young pigeon.
Always males but the species varied based on the individual's economic status

The purpose - Propitiation (appeasing God), seeking atonement (payment for a wrong) and complete surrender, devotion and commitment to God

Verse 2 - "Brings an offering" Corban: A gift presented to the Lord. Literally, "to cause to draw near, bring near, a present or gift, an offering." Used only in Leviticus, Numbers and Isaiah in the Old Testament. (Mark 7:11)

Hebrew "olah" signifies that which rises or ascends. The animal was completely consumed and ascended in smoke to the Lord

The purpose is given in verses 3-4: that the one giving may be accepted by the Lord and the sacrifice may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf
It was accepted as a substitute for taking away sins. Represented death for the sins

What's the role of sacrifice in God's plan? All have sinned (Romans 3:23. God will accept a substitute for the death of each sinner (John 1:29, it's Jesus). "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Again, the way to God is only through blood sacrifice and the walk with God is only through obedience to His laws.

Animals had to be:
Male
Without blemish (Hebrews 9:14)
Voluntary (Hebrews 9:14, 25-26)
Accepted for the sinner (Isaiah 53:5, 10-11)
Killed by the sinner (Isaiah 53:7)
Blood sprinkled (Hebrews 10:13, 22; 1 Peter 1:2)

Notice verse 6: Skin the offering and cut it in pieces. Who? The worshipper. God has ALWAYS demanded that worship be a participatory act, not a passive act

Verse 7: Washing "entrails" intestines and legs
"Sweet aroma to the Lord" sweet savour, soothing aroma

Verses 10-13: Offering given from the flock
Similar instructions as the ones given for a bull

Verses 14-17 Offering of birds
Reason not given here but we see in chapter 5 regarding the sin offering, it was for the poor

Verse 14: turtledove or young pigeon. Why not others? In 11:13-19 we'll see most other birds were unclean

Verses 15-17: Unlike before, the priest was responsible for all aspects of this offering

Burnt offerings foreshadowed Jesus call for Christians to give of themselves completely (Matthew 6:33, 16:25; Romans 12:1-2). Are we offering God our wholeness? There is a difference in God offering Jesus for us a sin offering and us offering ourselves to God in dedication and service

Chapter 6:8-13 Same info given from the viewpoint of the priest
"Command Aaron and his sons" versus "Speak to the children of Israel"

Offering to be left on the altar all night until it was reduced to ash
Priest wore a special linen robe when removing ashes. Apparently they were too holy to be removed while wearing common clothes. Priest wore other clothes when removing ashes to a clean place, no dead bodies or carcasses

Verses 12-13: Fire was not allowed to go out. Seems to establish the priority of the burnt offering
This is going to be important later...Nadab and Abihu

Unless the fire was kept going, other sacrifices (peace offering) couldn't be made
Exodus 29:38-42 said continual burnt offerings were to be presented morning and night for the community as a whole

The sin offering was mandatory for one who sinned intentionally
Trespass offering was mandatory for one who deprived another or desecrated something holy
Hebrews 10:4 "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins"
Discuss this looking at the Day of Atonement in 16:15-16 and Hebrews 9:24-28

Leviticus Study Notes - Holy Servants (Chapter 8:1-13)

2019-09-22T21:28:00.001-04:00

The first seven chapters of Leviticus detail God's instructions concerning the sacrifices He expected His people to bring. Who offers those sacrifices on behalf of the people? The priests. Therefore, I began this class by examining the first thirteen verses of chapter 8 which covers the consecration of Aaron and his sons. We can't offer sacrifices without having priests!

There are some "C" words to help us remember key points here.
The first is, command. 8:1 says, "And the Lord spoke to Moses saying..."
Whenever we see that, it introduces new material.
Chapters 8-10 and 24:10-23 are the only narrative sections of the book. The rest is legislative.

The divine pattern is stressed by the command of God in chapters 8 and 9 and contrasted with chapter 10, verse 1, "Which He had not commanded them." The focus is on obedience versus disobedience based on the revelation of God.

Look at chapter 8
Verse 4: "So Moses did as the Lord commanded him"
Verse 5: "This is what the Lord commanded"
Verse 9: "As the Lord commanded Moses"
Verse 13: "As the Lord had commanded Moses"
Verse 17: "As the Lord had commanded Moses"
Verse 21: "As the Lord had commanded Moses"
Verse 29: "As the Lord had commanded Moses"
Verse 34: "As he has done this day, so the Lord commanded"
Verse 35: "For so I have been commanded"
Verse 36: "So Aaron and his sons did all the things the Lord had commanded"

When something is said once, what about when it's repeated? Remember Paul writing, "As we have said before, so say I again" (Galatians 1:9).

The performance of these commands ties together Exodus 28 and 29 with Leviticus 8. I hope you paid attention to Exodus 25 through the end of the book.
Exodus is God saying, "Here's what I want you to do."
Leviticus is Moses writing, "Here's how we did it..." And you'll notice they did it EXACTLY how God said to do it.

In Exodus 29:1, we learned the purpose of all this was to hallow Aaron and his sons to minister. Hallow: to be or to make clean
They need to understand how important they are in the carrying out of God's plan. There's a lesson for us there; Every Christian, as a priest, is important. There's no unimportant priest in the priesthood!

What happens if the priesthood fails? Look at 1 Samuel 2:17. A failure in the priesthood caused the people to despise the sacrifices of God. Malachi 1 tells us what God thought of their polluted offerings.

What's being put in place here sets the framework that will last until Acts 2 for how people are either going to accept and appreciate, or despise and reject chapters 1 through 7, the sacrifices of God.

How important is the priesthood? Let go bad and you see what we have in the book of Judges. According to Jeremiah, it was a failure of the priests that contributed to Babylonian captivity

Called, (verse 2) Just as Aaron was to be the mediator for the nation of Israel, Israel was to function as a priest to the surrounding nations (Exodus 19:5-6). It's the same way that we as Christians are to serve as witnesses to the priesthood of the perfect high priest, Jesus (Hebrews 7:1-28; 1 Peter 2:5-9).

Notice that certain things are to be taken. On the surface it seems silly to, "take the priests" when they're instituting the priesthood but have you ever dealt with people? Imagine them saying, "Well, youu didn't tell us to do that!" Look at this verse and see what can be left out and still be pleasing to God

If you study with someone and they can't get past, "you must obey this command to please God (yes, referring mainly to baptism and its necessity), take this to them. Ask which part of this passage could be omitted and still be pleasing to God

Anointing oil - Was specified by God. The composition of it is given in Exodus 30:22-33 (Reference Psalm 133:2) 1 and 2 Samuel show this being used for separation to God for a task and preparation for divine guidance
Sin offering - two rams without blemish (Exodus 29:1)
Basket - Did it matter if the bread was leavened or unleavened? Says something about the Lord's Supper, doesn't it? "Jesus took the unleavened bread..."

Verse 3 - "Gather all the congregation at the door"
We're talking perhaps of 2.5 million to 3 million people!
Did the elders represent the congregation?
Do we have a representative use of the word "all?"
Verses 36-38 say this ceremony is to be repeated for 7 days. Why couldn't the people be rotated then?
Why then, insist that the whole congregation be there? Because the congregation must accept them as their representatives! Similar to modern congregations "trying out" a preacher

God said, "Get the people together. I'm going to institute a system and the people's presence signifies, 'we will accept it.'"

Verse 5, Moses communicates "And Moses said, 'this is what the Lord commanded to be done." Here's what I'm doing and what I'm doing is what God said to do. (Exodus 28-29)

Here's what the principle is all about: We're not doing what I want to do, or what you want to do. We're doing what God wants done! Imagine if we had that attitude today

Consecration - Of Aaron and his sons. Look at Hebrews 5:1-5: "he who is called by God, just as Aaron was." Hebrew word is pronounced "ko-lay-hoh" God's appointing one or committing one

In Exodus 28:1 there were no volunteers. God picked them
Numbers 16: Some people didn't approve of God's selection. "Who's Aaron, to be set above us?"
1 Samuel 2 in the period of the judges, look at verses 27 and 28. My priest, my alter

There's one priesthood for the nation. What would happen if every man was his own priest? One brings unity. There's one place to approach God, one way to approach and that's the priesthood. There's one way to please God, the sacrifices. Everyone has the same

Jeroboam, the son of Nebat took 10 tribes from Israel. He attacked the worship, said, "I'm going to set up a separate priesthood, separate place of worship and system of sacrifice. It's too much for you to have to go all the way to Jerusalem." Look at the results

At Pentecost God restored what Jeroboam divided. We come back to one priesthood for everyone
John 14:6, "I am THE way, THE truth, THE light..." For whom? For everyone!

He became our High Priest (Hebrews 2). In Hebrews 13 He is our sin offering. We all have the same High Priest, we all have the same sin offering.
When there's division in the church, it goes against the priesthood of God. It's not recognizing the unity God wants.

Verse 6 Cleansed "wash them with water." Cleansing of the body was symbolically saying they're to be pure inside and out. It said to the people, as the priests look clean to you, they are to look to the Lord...clean!

In chapter 21 we'll see if a priest has a blemish, he cannot approach Jehovah.
Psalm 243-4: That's what the priesthood was supposed to look like

John 13, look at verse 13: Jesus took a towel. Cleanliness inside and out. Do I approach God clean?

Verses 7-8 Clothed Clothing is important. It says something and makes a statement. It meant something in Genesis 3, didn't it?

When you look at Colossians one of the themes is changing clothes. What you wear as a child of God makes a difference. Leviticus stresses the quality. Everything the priest wore was the best. Give God your best! That's the principle and you see it in the sacrificial system

Remember in Exodus the minute care given in their design and making? It will also focus the wearer on their purpose

Verses 10-12 and 30: They are claimed with the anointing oil and with blood. God is saying, "They are mine, I am claiming them, they belong to Me."

Holman Study Notes: The holiness of God demanded a sanctification of the place, items and persons who ministered before the Lord. This was satisfied by Christ through His perfect offering and as the perfect offeror (Hebrews 7:26; 9:11-2). Christians are anointed by a spiritual anointing (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20).

They were then anointed by Moses as described in Exodus 40:9-11. Anoint is from the Hebrew word "maw-shock," root word of "ma-shy-ak" the word from which we get the word "Messiah," meaning "The Anointed." Translated in Greek as "Christas" which of course is Christ. Not the last name but who He is. Acts 10:38 refers to Jesus as the "Anointed One."

At this point the priests are sanctified, pronounced clean. In verse 11 Moses sprinkles the altar 7 times and everything around it. Then poured the oil on Aaron's beard (Psalm 133:2)
Look how important this imagery was even in the time of David

We are given here a picture of the very best, the picture of the setting apart, the picture of the anointing. This is the action of God! So when I'm reading this, I should see the picture of the church:
Our High Priest
My function as a priest
Giving God my best

Leviticus Study Notes (Introduction)

2019-09-22T19:02:00.000-04:00

It's my belief that New Testament Christians overlook the book of Leviticus by simply saying it's about holiness. Although that's accurate, a study of this book shows the lessons go much deeper. The theme of this book is about how an unholy people can approach Holy God. Most importantly, the student of Leviticus learns an important lesson which foreshadows the Age of Christ; the only way to God is through blood sacrifice and the believer's walk with God is only through obedience to His laws.

No geographical movement takes place in this book. The Israelites are still camped at Mt. Sinai. We know from Exodus 12:2 that the new calendar began with the first Passover. Exodus 40:17 tells us the construction of the tabernacle was completed one year later. Numbers 1:1 picks up the Hebrew story at the second month of the second year since the people left Egypt. Moses may have written this book during the first month of that second year. This section of Moses' writing is part of the continuous narrative which begins in Exodus 19 and continues to Numbers 10.

This book's importance to the original audience was summarized by Jack P. Lewis, PhD. "Israel did not have a division between religious law and civil law. All of life was considered to be controlled by religion. Every action was judged by how it pleased or displeased the Lord. Legal rules were religious rules. Both the prohibition of murder (Exodus 20:13) and the command to love one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) were presented as divine commands. Punishment applied wither the offense was religious, moral or legal."

The first 17 chapters show what was required of the people so they could approach God. Sacrifice was required. God must be approached by:

Sacrificial offerings (Chapters 1-7)
Mediation of Priests (Chapters 8-10)
Purification (Chapters 11-15)
National Cleansing and Fellowship (Chapters 16-17)

The rest of the book speaks to the sanctification required so God's people could continue to have fellowship with Him. He demanded sanctification:

Of the people (Chapters 18-20)
Of the priests (Chapters 21-22)
Of worship (Chapters 23-24)
Of life in Canaan (Chapters 25-26)
Of their vows (Chapter 27)

This was needed because the removal of defilement is necessary to have a walk of fellowship with God. Doesn't that sound familiar to those of us who call him Father today? It should!

Jesus Christ quoted Leviticus eight times. He referenced 14:1-32 and most famously quoted 19:18. Other passages he quoted include 18:5, 19:12, 20:9, 24:9, 24:20 and 27:30. The writer of Hebrews draws heavily from this book in describing the role of Jesus , His sacrifice, the priesthood and the Day of Atonement. The student is strongly encouraged to read Hebrews at the same time they study Leviticus.

There are five important words the student will repeatedly encounter in Leviticus.

Holiness - The priests were to teach the people to differentiate, "between holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean" (10:10). They were separated to God. The holiness of that person has its source from God. Anything that compromises this exclusive relationship profanes (treats as common) that person, and therefore offends God. (*Note: Read Peter's account of the royal priesthood in 1 Peter)
Clean - Ritual term that pertains to physical substances; foods, contamination, the body, etc. Daily washing was a constant reminder of the people's inadequacy of maintaining their relationship with God apart from His provision.
Sacrifice - A holy gift presented to God. There were three voluntary offerings (burnt, grain and peace), with two others being required (sin and trespass). These made atonement and provided for the priests.
Atonement - "Kipper" means to reconcile two estranged parties. God is the offended party and must be appeased by the transgressor. God provided the means by which the wrong could be remedied and forgiven. Genuine remorse and confession of sin were required.
Priests - The ones who made atonement on behalf of the guilty party, as well as for himself. Their role was to protect the holiness of God, the sanctity of the tabernacle and the people, and to serve as the intercessor.

Leviticus Study Notes

2019-09-22T18:08:00.003-04:00

I am currently about halfway through leading a Wednesday night adult Bible class through a study of Leviticus. The response from those in attendance has been incredibly encouraging and my personal knowledge of and appreciation for this book has been greatly increased.

I plan to share my notes from that class in this space. I hope you find them beneficial to your own Bible study. There aren't as nearly as many resources for book of Leviticus as there are for a lot of other books in the Bible. The ones I have found though, have enriched my preparation for this class. I share them here not only for your benefit but to give credit where it is due.

In preparing and studying for this class, I have used and am currently using the following sources:

Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Moody Press, 2007.

Camp, Franklin. Redemption Through The Bible - Leviticus. Transcribed Notes

Dean, Devin W, editor. Studies In Leviticus. The Gospel Journal, 2005.

Holman Study Bible: NKJV Edition. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Horner, Chuck. "Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy: WVBS School." WVBS Online Bible School, 2014, school.wvbs.org/courses/leviticus-numbers-deuteronomy/.

The International English Bible. International Bible Translators, Inc. 2014.

The Open Bible Expanded Edition. Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1997.

Rogers, James. Leviticus 8-10: Holy Servants. Polishing The Pulpit, 2017.

Roper, Coy D, and Max Tarbet. Leviticus: An Exegesis & Application of the Holy Scriptures. Resource Publications, 2017.

It is my hope that the notes shared here will assist you in your effort to learn more about Leviticus and even more about how an unholy people can approach holy God.

Does Your Sanctification Show?

2017-12-17T05:01:00.001-05:00

Written by A. Neal Hill, this was originally published in the August 1, 1985 edition of the Gospel Advocate.

The word "sanctify" means to "set aside" or "set apart." Some form of the word "sanctify" or expressions that mean the same thing appear often the the Bible. Leviticus 20:7 says, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy." In one of Jesus' prayers (John 17:17), he prayed that his disciples might be sanctified. In Acts 20:32 and Acts 26:18, we learn that the heavenly reward or inheritance is reserved for those who are sanctified. Paul addressed the first Corinthian epistle to the, "church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:2). In Ephesians 5:25-27 we read that Christ gave himself for the church, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Paul said in Titus 2:14 that Christ, "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." The Hebrew writer said that, "both He who sanctifies (Jesus) and they who are sanctified are all one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11). The same writer wrote that Jesus sanctified us with His own blood (Hebrews 13:12). Peter captures the idea of sanctification when he wrote, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

All of these passages indicate that the people of God are to be sanctified, called out, or set apart from the world. This is the way it has always been and the way it always will be. Both the individual Christian and the church collectively must exist in the world and function within the community. But something is drastically wrong when supposed or so-called Christians cannot be distinguished from others in the world.

Take, for example, the matter of dress. Christians should be set apart from the world by the way they dress. When we go into a grocery store, shopping mall or some other public place, do we dress in the same tacky fashion that many do? Women wearing short shorts and skimpy clothing in public are asking for trouble, and such is inconsistent with Christianity. Some might argue that only a dirty-minded old man would lust after a woman wearing skimpy clothing. I would remind such people that David was not a dirty-minded old man but a man after God's own heart, yet while walking upon the roof of the king's house, David saw a beautiful woman washing herself and lusted after her (2 Samuel 11:2). David's lust let him still deeper into sin. Christian men as well as Christian women should dress in a way that will bring honor and glory to Christ and His church. I personally applaud establishments with the policy of, "No shoes or shirt - no service." Can you be distinguished from the world by the way you dress?

Christians should be set apart from the world by their speech. Many people seem to think nothing of using certain "four-letter" words or using God's name in an irreverent and unholy manner. However, the Bible admonishes us to be careful in our speech. One of the Ten Commandments was to avoid taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7) and Jesus said, "that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment" (Matthew 12:36). Can you be distinguished from the world on the basis of your speech?

Christians should be separated from the world over the matter of alcohol. The average American consumes some form of alcoholic beverage on a regular basis. Yet in such passages as Proverbs 20:1 and Proverbs 23:29-35, the Word of God warns about alcohol consumption. We learn in 1 Corinthians 6:10 and Galatians 5:21 that drunkards will not be saved. While one may argue that taking an occasional social drink does not mean that the drinker will be come an alcoholic, one thing is sure; if one does not take that first drink, there is no way he will become an alcoholic. All addiction to alcohol began with that first drink. Yes, alcohol consumption is inconsistent with the Christian life, and we as children of God need to stand apart from the world by avoiding alcohol in any form. Can you be distinguished from the world by your avoidance of alcohol and your example of sober living and driving?

We as Christians should stand apart from the world in the way we use the Lord's day. We are commanded not to forsake, "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is" (Hebrews 10:25). Yet the world as a whole ignores this commandment. So many use the first day of the week to indulge in pleasure. Others are simply negligent in observing the Lord's day as God intended. When so-called Christians fail to attend worship services when they could be present, they are sinning. They are disobeying God, and they are not setting themselves apart from the world. Can you be distinguished from the world by your godly use of the Lord's day?

There are many other ways in which we as soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ need to stand apart from the world. Young people, when you are on a date, do you behave in such a way that the person you are with can tell that you are a Christian? Parents, what kind of example do you set for your children in the selection of entertainment for the family? Do you sit in front of a television set and laugh at dirty, irreverent and ungodly programs, or do you change channels or turn the set off when such programs are aired? Can your children tell that you are set apart from the world by the kind of entertainment you engage in?

Paul said, "And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). James said that a part of, "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father" is to keep oneself, "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). John said to, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).

Do you as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ stand apart from the world? Do you honor your Heavenly Father and His precious Son by the kind of life you live? Can the people around you look at you and see the glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ reflected in your life, or do they see just another individual who is no different from the multitudes of other people? Jesus gave Himself for the church in order that He might sanctify or separate it and make it holy. If you do not live in such a way that you stand out from the world, as far as you are concerned, Jesus died in vain.

Salvation By Grace

2017-09-23T05:05:00.000-04:00

Written by David P. Brown, this originally appeared in the June 16, 1983 edition of the Gospel Advocate.

Salvation from sin is made possible by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace is the unmerited favor of God. Man has never deserved salvation and there is not one thing that he could do to obligate God to pay him with salvation (Romans 5:8). Salvation is, therefore, the free gift of God.

Hence, grace involves a giver, gift and receiver. In John 3:16 this is readily seen. God (the giver) motivated solely by love for lost mankind gave Christ (the gift) to man (the receiver). Clearly seen from these foregoing simple facts are two sides to salvation. On one hand there is the Divine side and on the other is the human side. The Divine side has to do with what God has done for man that he never could do for himself. The human side takes into account that man can do certain things and that, therefore, God expects him to do them.

This raises the question, "Is salvation free if man does anything?" This query is illustrative of the fact that man will reason in regard to religion in a way that he would never do in his secular endeavors. It also indicates to what extent men will go to uphold a man-made doctrine.

What person would take the absurd position that air is not free because one must do what is necessary to receive the singular blessing obtained therefrom? The same is true of water, sunshine, food and a host of other items in God's natural world. It is elementary indeed to conclude that in order for man to benefit from God's freely given natural gifts that he must do or work something in order to appropriate their blessing to himself.

Relative to man's salvation from sin man must appropriate or receive the free gift of salvation. How does he do this? He cannot do so by the works of the law of Moses (Romans 3:20) or by any meritorious works devised by man (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The inspired James, however, declared that, "by works a man is justified..." (James 2:24). It is obvious that James is not speaking of the works of the law of Moses or the meritorious works of man. What works then, could justify a man in God's sight? Or the question could be phrased in another way; how does one take old of or receive God's free gift of salvation?

In answering the aforementioned question, one must remember that at this point the human side of salvation and not the Divine side is being investigated. The only works that will save anyone are the works of God and man can do them (John 6:29). David declared, "My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteous" (Psalms 119:172). At the house of Cornelius it is then no wonder that Peter declared that, "he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him" (Acts 10:35). It is obvious therefore, that the works that James and Peter are speaking of are works of obedience to God's commandments (Hebrews 5:9). By obedience to God's commandments is God's work done and man thereby receives or appropriates the free gift of salvation to himself.

The denominational world ignores man's part in salvation. They, thereby, are blind and dumb when the Biblical question of, "Men and brethren, what shall we do" is put to them (Acts 2:37).

It is obvious that if the Divine side was the only side to salvation, that all men would be saved regardless of anything they might do or not do (Titus 2:11, 2 Peter 3:9). The whole truth is, however, that, "the grace of God that bringeth salvation" came, "teaching us that" man must abstain from certain things and also do other things (Titus 2:12, 2 Peter 3:9).

In Noah's day, after God had resolved to destroy man the Bible records that, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8). Because Noah, "found grace" God instructed him as to how he could appropriate the blessings that had been so freely made available to him by God. Noah had to do what God said do, in the way He said do it, and for the reason God said do it or God's grace could not save him. Hence, Noah, "prepared an ark to the saving of his house" (Hebrews 11:17). Noah's faith saved him only when it was strong enough to obey the teaching that God's grace provided. Thus, both the Divine and human sides of salvation are clearly seen in this example that was, "written aforetime for our learned, that we might through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

No man cold love as God loved nor give the gift (the Christ) that God gave. Neither could man live, suffer, die, rise and ascend back to heaven as Christ did. No mortal could build the church and give the human race the Bible as God has done. Deity did all of this because man could not.

Man can study the Bible, have faith created in him by God's word and do what God said (John 5:39), Acts 17:11, Romans 10:17, James 2:24). In doing what god said, he is simply taking hold of the free gift of salvation. Such work has no connection whatsoever with the meritorious works men have concocted to obligate God to pay man with with salvation.

Much studying and teaching regarding, "the grace of God that bringeth salvation" needs to be done. Only then will men understand that "grace reign(s) through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:21). Both the Divine and human sides of salvation must be taken into consideration before man can reconcile, "how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24, Ephesians 2:9).